Saami names on the maps

The
systematic collection of Saami-language names was initiated in the
1960s. We have ca. 11,000 file card entries with Saami-language names in
the Names Archive of the Research Institute for the Languages of
Finland. The collections are used for the verification of the map names,
carried out at the Research Institute for the Languages of Finland.

For
example, the names in Leppäjärvi village in Enontekiö were still given
almost exclusively in Finnish on the topographic map of 1970. In
connection with the verification of the names, the map has been
supplemented with traditional Saami-language names that are in use,
based on data from the archives and other sources. The additions and
other changes have been stored in the Topographic Database of the
National Land Survey, which is used as the basis for the maps to be
published.

Sample from the topographic map of 1970.

Sample from the topographic data base 2010.

The Saami region covers the municipalities of Enontekiö, Inari, and
Utsjoki, and the northern parts of the municipality of Sodankylä.

Three Saami languages are spoken in Finland: North Saami, Inari Saami and Skolt Saami.